Attorney General Drummond announces Deputy Austin Murray as 2024 Oklahoma Officer of the Year

“Deputy Murray is highly deserving of this honor,” Drummond said. “He is an exceptional law enforcement officer whose heroism brought a safe end to a tremendously dangerous situation. I congratulate Deputy Murray and thank him for his service to his community.”

Drummond created the Officer of the Year program to recognize and celebrate the best and brightest of Oklahoma’s remarkable federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement agencies. Law enforcement officers sacrifice time with their loved ones, working long hours, weekends and holidays, often without fanfare, Drummond noted.

On Aug. 11, Murray responded to a domestic disturbance concerning a man in a pickup truck who had chased his fleeing wife and two children. The pickup had struck the wife’s vehicle, forcing her to crash into a tree off a highway near Achille. Murray drew his pistol as soon as the suspect, Wesley Buford, reached for a gun tucked inside his pants. Buford jumped behind his truck and the two exchanged gunfire. Murray was hit three times before he was able to get a clear shot at the suspect. Buford collapsed and surrendered shortly thereafter. 

Bryan County Sheriff Johnny Christian, who nominated Murray for the honor, said he appreciates the deputy’s outstanding character.

“When faced with a violent assailant, Deputy Murray did not hesitate to put himself in harm’s way to safeguard a mother and her two children,” Christian said. “This act alone speaks volumes about his character and sense of duty. Even after sustaining injuries, his resolve to continue confronting the threat showcases remarkable courage and resilience.”

Murray, who has been with the department for nearly four years, also recently received the Medal of Valor from the Oklahoma Sheriffs Association. He was named one of four Regional Officers of the Year last month. 

Also named regional award winners were Oklahoma City Police Detective Lauren Cunningham, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Derek Fry and Norman Master Police Officer Benjamin Gomez. Regional winners were selected by judging panels of city, county, tribal and state criminal justice professionals. In all, 44 law enforcement officers from a cross section of Oklahoma law enforcement organizations were nominated for the award.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors Cline Construction, Post-Tension Services of Oklahoma and Randy Bowen Chevrolet, each Regional Officer of the Year also received a Glock 17 pistol, while the Oklahoma Officer of the Year received a Smith & Wesson M&P 15 rifle.

The event was held at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, which is also a sponsor of the Officer of the Year program.